c. 1300, "a song, music, instrumental music; a musical note," from Latin nota "letter, character, note," originally "a mark, sign, means of recognition," which traditionally has been connected to notus, past participle of noscere (Old Latin *gnoscere) "to know," but de Vaan reports this is "impossible," and with no attractive alternative explanation, it is of unknown origin. Meaning "notice, attention, reputation" is early 14c. Meaning "brief writing" is from 1540s.